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Why do shorter wavelengths get absorbed into gas molecules rather than long wavelengths?
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Answer:
atoms comprise of tightly bound nucleus of protons and neutrons (protons have positive charge and neutrons are neutral). Electrons exists in pre-defined orbits around the nucleus and are negative particles. predefined means that they can only exist at certain distances. Because these distances are associated with a kind of energy, it means these electrons only exist at predefined energy levels. Now, if you give an electron not enough energy to reach the next energy level (by sending a photon near it), it cannot exist in-between therefore it will not absorb that energy, therefore it will be transmitted (or will pass through the atom), but if that light particle does have the right energy, then the electron will absorb it and it will jump up an energy level, hence that energy is absorbed and we say the gas is opaque to that frequency. After the absorption, the electron may jump down again and emit a photon, the frequency of which is dependant on the temperature of the substance in question (ever wonder why metal gets red hot??).
the energy of a light photon is E=hf, where f= frequency and h is a constant, and of course E=energy.
wavelength is inversely proportional to frequency, which means longer wavelength is less energy than shorter wavelength light.
This means that a photon of energy E has a frequency of E/h, therefore you can see that the energy of a light photon is directly related to its frequency, and putting that together with what we know about electron only absorbing light photon energy of certain energy values, we can see why only certain wavelength of light gets absorbed.
There are other things that can happen to photon that don't involve bound electrons too.
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∙ 14y ago
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How does changing wavelength in the activity vary the light that you see?
The human eye is sensitive to a range of wavelengths within the electromagnetic spectrum, and different wavelengths correspond to different colors. The visible spectrum spans from shorter wavelengths (associated with violet and blue colors) to longer wavelengths (associated with red and beyond). Here's how changing the wavelength can affect the light you see: Color Perception: Shorter Wavelengths (Blue/Violet): Shorter wavelengths are associated with blue and violet colors. As the wavelength decreases, the light appears more towards the blue end of the spectrum. Medium Wavelengths (Green/Yellow): Medium wavelengths are associated with green and yellow colors. Longer Wavelengths (Orange/Red): Longer wavelengths are associated with orange and red colors. As the wavelength increases, the light appears more towards the red end of the spectrum. Intensity and Brightness: Generally, the perception of brightness is more strongly influenced by intensity rather than wavelength. However, changes in wavelength can affect the overall color appearance, and our eyes may perceive certain colors as more or less intense. Color Mixing: Combining light of different wavelengths can result in color mixing. For example, combining red and blue light can produce magenta, while combining red and green light can produce yellow. Interference and Diffraction: Changes in wavelength can also be associated with optical phenomena such as interference and diffraction. These effects can result in patterns of colored fringes or bands, particularly when light interacts with fine structures or passes through narrow openings. Scattering: Shorter wavelengths of light (blue and violet) tend to scatter more than longer wavelengths (red and orange). This is why the sky appears blue during the day; the shorter blue wavelengths are scattered in all directions by the gases and particles in the Earth's atmosphere. Absorption:
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How does changing wavelength in the activity vary the light that you see?
The human eye is sensitive to a range of wavelengths within the electromagnetic spectrum, and different wavelengths correspond to different colors. The visible spectrum spans from shorter wavelengths (associated with violet and blue colors) to longer wavelengths (associated with red and beyond). Here's how changing the wavelength can affect the light you see: Color Perception: Shorter Wavelengths (Blue/Violet): Shorter wavelengths are associated with blue and violet colors. As the wavelength decreases, the light appears more towards the blue end of the spectrum. Medium Wavelengths (Green/Yellow): Medium wavelengths are associated with green and yellow colors. Longer Wavelengths (Orange/Red): Longer wavelengths are associated with orange and red colors. As the wavelength increases, the light appears more towards the red end of the spectrum. Intensity and Brightness: Generally, the perception of brightness is more strongly influenced by intensity rather than wavelength. However, changes in wavelength can affect the overall color appearance, and our eyes may perceive certain colors as more or less intense. Color Mixing: Combining light of different wavelengths can result in color mixing. For example, combining red and blue light can produce magenta, while combining red and green light can produce yellow. Interference and Diffraction: Changes in wavelength can also be associated with optical phenomena such as interference and diffraction. These effects can result in patterns of colored fringes or bands, particularly when light interacts with fine structures or passes through narrow openings. Scattering: Shorter wavelengths of light (blue and violet) tend to scatter more than longer wavelengths (red and orange). This is why the sky appears blue during the day; the shorter blue wavelengths are scattered in all directions by the gases and particles in the Earth's atmosphere. Absorption:
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Energy is absorbed when a nucleus is split during a nuclear reaction?
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